Water-soluble sticker for marking glassware

ABSTRACT

At parties and other social gatherings, drinks are typically served in non-descript glassware. As a result, patrons may be unable to distinguish their glass from others once they are set down on a table. Unintentionally swapping glasses can be unsanitary and wasteful (increasing costs for the host of the event). To solve these problems, the inventors have created an easy way for people to mark their glassware with individualized stickers that are easy to remove at the conclusion of a gathering.The invention is water-soluble stickers that are designed around the theme of the gathering. Guests select from a set of unique stickers and adhere one to their glass—they work on all glassware (even without stems). At the end of the gathering, the host can easily remove the drink markers by running the glassware under water or by placing them in the dishwasher as they normally would.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

All priority benefits under 35 USC 119(e) of Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 63/018,568, filed May 1, 2020 are hereby claimedand the contents thereof in their entirety incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

At parties and other social gatherings, drinks are typically served innon-descript glassware. As a result, patrons may be unable todistinguish their glass from others once they are set down on a table.Unintentionally swapping glasses can be unsanitary and may contribute tothe spread of viruses and/or other pathogens. In other cases, if aperson cannot identify their own glass, they may abandon it and simplyget another, which can be wasteful and increase costs for the host ofthe event.

Attempts have been made in the past for adding identifyingcharacteristics to glassware, such as stickers and charms. However,charms can be difficult to remove before being inserted in a dishwasher(and failure to remove them may cause them to fall off in thedishwasher, which can lead to damage of dishwasher components). Previousattempts to use stickers required a burdensome chore of removing thesticker and its adhesive residue by hand, sometimes with the aid ofsolvents. In addition, the design of the stickers was generic and noteasily customizable to reflect the theme of the gathering.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To solve the above-described problems the inventors have created an easyway for people to mark their glassware with individualized stickers thatare easy to remove at the conclusion of a social gathering. Theinvention is directed to a water-dissolvable sticker package whichcontains at least one water-dissolvable sticker sheet, on which areprinted at least one water-dissolvable sticker that can be removed fromthe water-dissolvable sticker sheet and placed onto a glass. To removethe sticker, the glass can be placed in a dishwasher or exposed to waterfor a brief period of time.

Additionally, the inventors have created two unique embodiments fordisplaying the water-dissolvable sticker package. In the firstembodiment, the sticker sheet is attached to a rectangular cardstockbacking, which is scored to allow the backing to be bent at an anglewhich allows the water-dissolvable sticker sheet to be displayed in anupright or semi-upright position. In the second embodiment, the stickersheet is attached to a gift tag shaped cardstock backing with anattachment means (such as a string, ribbon, or wire) that is run throughthe backing and allows the water-dissolvable sticker package to beattached to an object, such as a wine bottle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a glassware to which a water-dissolvable sticker isattached.

FIG. 2A shows the water-dissolvable sticker package of the firstembodiment.

FIG. 2B shows the water-dissolvable sticker package of the secondembodiment

FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the water-dissolvable sticker packagein the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows the water-dissolvable sticker package in a semi-uprightposition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 shows glassware (1) with a water-dissolvable sticker (20)attached. Although glassware is depicted, Inventors envision thewater-dissolvable sticker (20) could likewise be applied to dinnerware(not shown). The water-dissolvable sticker (20) is applied as one wouldapply any type of ordinary sticker, and will be described in greaterdetail below. The water-dissolvable sticker (20) allows a user torecognize his or her glass in a social gathering where drinks areserved, such as a party.

FIGS. 2A, 2B & 3 show a water-dissolvable sticker package (2). Thewater-dissolvable sticker package (2) contains one or morewater-dissolvable sticker sheets (24). As can best be seen in FIG. 3,each water-dissolvable sticker sheet (24) is composed of awater-dissolvable paper (26) and a non-stick backer (28). Awater-dissolvable adhesive (not shown) is applied to one side of thewater dissolvable paper (26). The water-dissolvable paper (26) is thenapplied to the non-stick backer (28) so that the water-dissolvableadhesive is prevented from sticking to unintended surfaces and laterallows individual water-dissolvable stickers (20) to be removed from thewater-dissolvable sticker sheet (24). Water dissolvable label paper (24)can be purchased from suppliers, such as SmartSolve Industries ofBowling Green, Ohio. Inventors have experimented with differentthicknesses and determined that a 4-mil thickness is ideal.

Once the water-dissolvable label paper (24) has been created, ink can beapplied to the water-dissolvable label paper (26) to create graphics forwater-dissolvable stickers (20). Inventors have found that an inkjetprinter works well for this task, because it allows for the use of colorwhen designing and creating unique water-dissolvable stickers (20).Alternatively, instead of ink, a thermal printer could be used inconjunction with a water-dissolvable thermal label paper (one type ofwhich is currently sold by SmartSolve of Bowling Green, Ohio) to printgraphics on the water-dissolvable label paper (26).

After printing, the water-dissolvable label paper (26) is cut to allowindividual water-dissolvable stickers (20) to be removed from thewater-dissolvable sticker sheet (24). Although different methods forcutting out individual stickers can be used (which are known to the artand will not be described in greater detail, but are nonethelessenvisioned as being within the scope of the invention), Inventors preferto use the “kiss-cut” technique, under which only the water-dissolvablelabel paper (26) is cut, not the underlying non-stick backer (28).Kiss-cutting the water-dissolvable stickers (20) has the added benefitof allowing a plurality of water-dissolvable stickers (20) to remain ona single water-dissolvable sticker sheet (24) until removal and use.

Behind the at least one water-dissolvable sticker sheet (24) is abacking (29), which adds rigidity to the water-dissolvable stickerpackages (2) and helps protect the at least one water dissolvablesticker sheet (24) from damage during transport and/or storage. Thebacking can be made from any type of flat stock, which could includepaperboard, cardboard, paper-stock, or plastic. In the first embodiment,the backing (29) can be scored along score line (23) to allow backing(29) to be folded, which allows the water-dissolvable sticker package(2) to be displayed in an upright or semi-upright position, as shown inFIG. 4. The term “scoring” is intended to be broadly interpreted toinclude any type of mechanical process which increases the foldabilityof flat stock, and includes at least: etching, perforating, slicing, orindenting. The backing can be adhered to the back of thewater-dissolvable sticker sheet (24) using glue, tape, or a mechanicalfastener, such as a staple or rivet.

To allow for the folding of the backing (29), it typically has a largerlengthwise dimension than the water-dissolvable sticker sheet (24).Alternatively, in the second embodiment, the backing (29) is cut suchthat it is shaped to resemble a gift tag, as shown in FIG. 2B. In thesecond embodiment, the water-dissolvable sticker package (2) to beattached to an object, such as a wine bottle, an aperture (25) is cutinto the backing (29), through which an attachment means (22) is passed,which is then secured to the object. The attachment means can be aribbon, string, wire, zip-tie, or something similar.

To enclose the water-dissolvable sticker package (2), a transparentwrapper (not shown) is placed around the water-dissolvable stickerpackage (2). Inventors prefer the use of cellophane, but other types oftransparent or semi-transparent packaging are known in the art and arewithin the scope of the invention.

Having disclosed the product and the method in which it is manufactured,Inventors will now describe the product's method of use. A user, such asthe host of a social gathering, can display the water-dissolvablesticker package (2) in at least one of two ways. First, a user canattach the water-dissolvable sticker package (2) to an object, such as awine bottle, using an attachment means (22) (such as a ribbon, string,wire, zip-tie, or similar structure), which is looped through theaperture (25) in at least the backing (29). The aperture (25) may alsopass through other elements of the water-dissolvable sticker package(2), such as at least one water-dissolvable sticker sheet (24) and/orthe transparent wrapper (not shown).

Second, as shown in FIG. 4, a user can display the water-dissolvablesticker package (2) by bending the backing (29) along the score line(23), such that a portion of the backing (29) is at an angle to theremaining portion of the backing (29). By bending a portion of thebacking (29), the water-dissolvable sticker package (2) can be placed inan upright or semi-upright position, which allows the water-dissolvablesticker sheet (24) to be displayed.

An individual sticker (20) can be peeled off of the water-dissolvablesticker sheet (24) and adhered to glassware (1), such as a wine glass,beer mug, shot glass, tumbler, etc. Since each individual sticker (20)typically has a unique design, the sticker (20) allows a person toeasily identify their own glass. In other situations, such as weddings,a generic sticker (20) can be placed on the glassware with a graphicdirected to the event, such as “Congratulations [Bride's Name] and[Groom's Name]!” This allows glassware to be personalized for aparticular one-time event at a reduced cost because a water dissolvablesticker is cheaper than producing a personalized glass.

At the end of the social gathering, the sticker (20) can be easilyremoved by placing the glassware in a dishwasher or by simply exposingthe sticker to water for a period of time. The time necessary for thesticker (20) to dissolve varies based on the degree of agitation andtemperature of the water, but typically takes 5-10 seconds.

LIST OF SYMBOLS

-   1: Glassware-   2: Sticker Package-   20: Individual Sticker-   22: Attachment Means-   23: Score Line-   24: Water-dissolvable Sticker Sheet-   25: Aperture-   26: Water-dissolvable Label Paper-   28: Non-stick Backer-   29: Backing

We claim:
 1. A sticker package containing stickers for application toglassware, comprising: at least one water-dissolvable sticker sheetcomprising: a water-dissolvable label paper comprising: awater-dissolvable paper, a water-dissolvable adhesive applied to oneside of the water-dissolvable paper, and ink applied to the oppositeside of the water-dissolvable paper; a non-stick backer to which thewater-dissolvable label paper can be temporarily adhered; and a backing,wherein the backing is scored to allow the backing to be bent to holdthe sticker package in an upright or semi-upright position.
 2. Thesticker package of claim 1, further comprising a transparent wrapperwhich encloses the sticker package.
 3. The sticker package of claim 1,wherein the water-dissolvable label paper is kiss cut after beingapplied to the non-stick backer to create at least one sticker, suchthat a single sticker can be peeled away from the sticker sheet.
 4. Thesticker package of claim 1, wherein the ink is applied using an inkjetprinter.
 5. The sticker package of claim 1, wherein the thickness of thewater-dissolvable label paper is approximately 4 mils.
 6. The stickerpackage of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or morewater-dissolvable sticker sheets is adhered to the backing.
 7. A stickerpackage containing stickers for application to glassware, comprising: atleast one water-dissolvable sticker sheet comprising: awater-dissolvable label paper comprising: a water-dissolvable paper, awater-dissolvable adhesive applied to one side of the water-dissolvablepaper, and ink applied to the opposite side of the water-dissolvablepaper; a non-stick backer to which the water-dissolvable label paper canbe temporarily adhered; and a backing shaped to resemble a gift tag, thebacking having at least one aperture, wherein an attachment means can beinserted through the at least one aperture and used to attach thesticker package to an object.
 8. The sticker package of claim 7, furthercomprising a transparent wrapper which encloses the sticker package. 9.The sticker package of claim 7, wherein the water-dissolvable labelpaper is kiss cut after being applied to the non-stick backer to createat least one sticker, such that a single sticker can be peeled away fromthe sticker sheet.
 10. The sticker package of claim 7, wherein the inkis applied using an inkjet printer.
 11. The sticker package of claim 7,wherein the thickness of the water-dissolvable label paper isapproximately 4 mils.
 12. The sticker package of claim 7, wherein atleast one of the one or more water-dissolvable sticker sheets is adheredto the backing.
 13. A method of making the sticker package of claim 1,comprising: creating a sticker sheet by: creating water-dissolvablelabel paper by applying water-dissolvable adhesive to one side of awater-dissolvable paper; temporarily adhering the water-dissolvablelabel paper to a non-stick backer; applying ink to the non-adhesive sideof the water-dissolvable label paper; kiss cutting the water-dissolvablelabel paper to create at least one sticker; placing at least one backingunder at least one sticker sheet; and scoring the backing to allow thebacking to be bent to hold the sticker package in an upright orsemi-upright position.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising:placing the sticker sheet and backing in a transparent wrapper, whichencloses the sticker sheet and backing.
 15. The method of claim 13,further comprising: adhering at least one water-dissolvable stickersheet to the backing.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:the backing is scored to allow the backing to be bent to hold thesticker package in an upright or semi-upright position.
 17. A method ofmaking the sticker package of claim 2, comprising: creating a stickersheet by: creating water-dissolvable label paper by applyingwater-dissolvable adhesive to one side of a water-dissolvable paper;temporarily adhering the water-dissolvable label paper to a non-stickbacker; applying ink to the non-adhesive side of the water-dissolvablelabel paper; kiss cutting the water-dissolvable label paper to create atleast one sticker; placing at least one backing under at least onesticker sheet; cutting the backing into a shape resembling a gift tag;creating an aperture in at least the backing; running an attachmentmeans through the aperture; and using the attachment means to attach thesticker package to an object
 18. The method of claim 17, furthercomprising: placing the sticker sheet and backing in a transparentwrapper, which encloses the sticker sheet and backing.
 19. The method ofclaim 17, further comprising: adhering at least one water-dissolvablesticker sheet to the backing.
 20. A method of using the sticker packageof claim 1, comprising: removing at least one sticker from the stickersheet and applying it to glassware.
 21. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising: removing the sticker from the glassware by placing theglassware in a dishwasher.
 22. The method of claim 20, furthercomprising: removing the sticker from the glassware by applying water tothe sticker until it dissolves.
 23. A method of using the stickerpackage of claim 2, comprising: removing at least one sticker from thesticker sheet and applying it to glassware.
 24. The method of claim 23,further comprising: removing the sticker from the glassware by placingthe glassware in a dishwasher.
 25. The method of claim 23, furthercomprising: removing the sticker from the glassware by applying water tothe sticker until it dissolves.
 17. Drinkware, comprising: at least oneglass; and at least one water-dissolvable sticker adhered to the atleast one glass, wherein the at least one water-dissolvable stickercomprises: a water-dissolvable paper; a water-dissolvable adhesiveapplied to one side of the water-dissolvable paper; and ink applied tothe opposite side of the water-dissolvable paper.